Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, left ear hearing loss, a respiratory disorder due to asbestos exposure, migraine headaches, visual disability, and back disability. The reasons given were that there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors for PTSD, no current diagnoses related to service for other conditions, and the Veteran's accounts of events during service were not credible.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left ear disability, tinnitus, schizophrenia, and stomach ulcers. The evidence received since the previous denials is considered cumulative and does not provide a basis to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to incomplete medical records and new evidence submission.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected paranoid schizophrenia was received by the RO on March 9, 2004. The clinical records do not establish that he met the criteria for a 100 percent rating for paranoid schizophrenia during the one-year period prior to his March 9, 2004 claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's injuries sustained in a May 1974 automobile accident were incurred in the line of duty. The issues of service connection for residuals of fractures and psychiatric disability will be remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and Hodgkin's disease were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a verified in-service stressor for PTSD, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection for Hodgkin's disease due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and medical opinions to clarify his psychiatric diagnoses and their etiology. The applications to reopen claims of service connection for disorders of the right shoulder, neck, and left index finger are also being addressed.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for psychiatric and physical disabilities due to treatment of colon cancer, but the appeal is being remanded as there are incomplete VA medical records and a supplemental medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder with regards to PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder is denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder claimed as PTSD, and did not assign a compensable disability rating for maxillary sinusitis or seasonal allergic rhinitis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The case is remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, as new and material evidence has been submitted. Service connection is granted for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hyperthyroidism, finding that it is more likely than not related to his military service. The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected epididymitis are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case to allow for a Decision Review Officer hearing and to obtain additional medical records, including mental health records from VA Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and Community Clinic in Alexandria, Virginia. The claimant must also provide evidence of Social Security benefits due to an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a current disability due to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to his verified in-service combat stressors. If not, the examiner will also consider whether his anxiety disorder is causally related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, finding no current disability related to his in-service stressors.